Four families from across Yorkshire have signed up to help us after a competition to find community champions.

Our ‘Yummy Yorkshire Families on the Farm’ have been chosen to help us develop our products and the range of events held here at the farm.

Nearly 50 families showed an interest in the scheme and a shortlist of 10 went through a questionnaire selection process before we chose the final four. They include the Simpsons from Clayton West and the Shepherds from Heckmondwike in addition to a family from Sheffield and one from Bradford.

The Simpsons have two boys, Rory, seven and Jamie, five, and are regular visitors to Yummy Yorkshire. Speaking about why they chose to apply Lorraine Simpson said: “We love coming to Yummy Yorkshire and have been regulars since we moved to this area. It has been lovely to see the business expand to having a shop, cafe, play barn and events and we’d love the chance to contribute our ideas for future development.”

The Simpsons and the other families have been given free entrance to four Yummy Yorkshire events and a year’s supply of ice cream. They have also had a private tour of the farm and insight into the ice cream making process.

In return, each family has pledged to provide honest feedback on our activities to allow us to improve our customer offering.

Our co-founder, Louise Holmes says: “As a company, we aim to support the local economy, not only by using local suppliers, but by listening to what the local community has to say and we are continually striving to do things better.

“We felt therefore that best way to really get under our customers’ skin and understand what they want, was by working more closely with them in this way. We were thrilled with the response we had and are delighted to have now chosen our Yummy Yorkshire families.

“The feedback we have had so far has been invaluable and has already provided an insight into what we could do differently. I’m looking forward to strengthening our relationship with the families over the coming year and implementing their suggestions.”